Skip to content

Yes, there’s really a rewards app that pays you for shopping!

When I was a kid, my parents were really supportive. They always told me that I could choose to do whatever I wanted with my career, but that I should be sure it was something I loved. Their motto was: “If you pick something you love, it will never feel like work!” It was truly wonderful advice, and I can honestly say that I stand by it with everything that I do. In fact, I’ve applied this advice to almost all areas of my life, including my favorite hobby: shopping. 

Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely love shopping. It’s one of my all-time favorite hobbies. What’s even better though, is that I’ve now found a way to fuel my shopping with a rewards app that pays. That’s right! I’ve found a way to get paid for doing what I love! And, since my parents were so generous to share their advice with me, I’ll do the same for all of you!  

Why You Should Download a Rewards App That Pays

The Savings

find a rewards app that paysThere are a few reasons that I absolutely recommend getting a rewards app that pays you to shop. Chief among them, of course, is that it’s a way to increase your savings. See, if you get the right rewards app, you can regularly get rewarded for the things you already purchase at many of your favorite stores. Depending on the rewards points system, you may be able to redeem those rewards for gift cards that are just as good as cash! Hence, saving you from having to dip into your budget to do more shopping. 

Make sure you download a rewards app that pays you for both online and in-store shopping. If you’re like me, you’ve started to do more and more of your shopping online and you don’t want to miss out on any rewards because you didn’t go to a physical store. The best rewards apps are those that you can use without any major changes to your regular daily shopping routines, even if that means shopping from the comfort of your home. 

The Fun

In addition to calculating the savings, you’ll want to find a rewards app that feels like fun. It’s like my parents always say: “If you pick something you love, it will never feel like work!” For many, shopping can feel like a chore, especially after a long day’s work. If you find yourself thinking of using the rewards app as a chore, you’re likely to stop using which means you won’t be able to reap the maximum rewards. Thankfully, there are apps out there that turn each trip to the store into a fun experience.  

Shopkick Is a Fun Rewards App That Pays!

My absolute favorite rewards app that pays is called Shopkick. The way Shopkick works is that it gives you rewards points—which are called kicks—for shopping both online and in-person at physical stores. With Shopkick, I’m rewarded for things I already do when I’m out shopping like walking into a store and making purchases. And when I’m shopping online, Shopkick rewards me for watching videos, learning about participating products, and shopping directly through the app. 

What I really love about Shopkick, though, is the way it turns every trip out to the store into a fun scavenger hunt for rewards points.

What I really love about Shopkick, though, is the way it turns every trip out to the store into a fun scavenger hunt for rewards points. When I walk into a store, I open up the app on my phone and see which products will earn me the most kicks. I’m always happy to find the products that were already on my list and some that I considered buying but didn’t know much about before using Shopkick. Once I’ve earned enough kicks, I’m able to redeem them for a gift card of my choosing; I love earning gift cards to my favorite stores. 

So, there you have it. That’s my spiel about my favorite rewards app that pays you for shopping. I really love Shopkick and my parents love that I’ve kept their advice. 

It’s time to start getting your own kicks now! Out of all the choices that are out there, Shopkick is the absolute best rewards app that pays. Download the app today start to get your kicks right now! 

Image courtesy of wavebreakmedia

This rewards app for students is perfect when shopping for the essentials

As I’m sure you know or remember, it can be really hard to maintain a budget for all the things you need when you’re in college. Classes take up a ton of time—as they should—but the truth is, there’s not always enough hours in the day to fit in a part-time job when you also need to study. And let’s be honest, the whole “education is your job” thing, doesn’t quite cut it when there are so many things you need like food, clothes, and supplies for class. Thankfully, I’ve found a way to save money on all the essentials by using a rewards app for students. 

One thing I’ve learned in college is that things are better when you do them together—from projects to study groups—and so today I want to share what I’ve learned about rewards app for students so that we can earn and save together!

What Is a Rewards App for Students?

The Concept

the best rewards app for studentsA rewards app for students is a pretty simple concept. Students can use a particular app when shopping for their essentials, whether it’s for groceries, clothes, electronics, or school supplies. This app will give you rewards for shopping. That’s right! With a rewards app, you can earn perks for the shopping you already do. 

How It Works

So, the next natural question is how would a rewards app for students actually work? First, you want to find an app that rewards you for the things you already do so that you aren’t worried about trying to fit it into your busy schedule. Once you find it, download it to your smartphone and start earning!

One thing to consider, you’ll want to make sure the app you choose works both online and in-store. While it’s convenient to order things you need online, you might find yourself popping into a store and you want to still be able to earn rewards. 

Which App Is the Best?

There are a few different rewards apps for students to pick from, but my favorite is Shopkick. Shopkick works just as I described above. You go shopping—either online or in a physical store—and you get points for doing all the things you do when you’re out shopping already such as walking into stores, scanning barcodes, and making purchases. Shopkick turns an ordinary trip to the stores into a fun scavenger hunt for rewards points or “kicks” as they’re called in the app. You can trade in your kicks for gift cards to stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, Starbucks, Target, Walmart, and a ton of other places that sell essentials for college students. 

If you’re a college student like me, struggling to manage enough time and money for the essentials, I highly recommend you give Shopkick a try. It rewards you for making everyday purchases and it doesn’t require you to take a substantial amount of time out of your already busy schedule. It’s also great for anyone looking for a side hustle; you earn points towards gift cards that are just as good as cash for the shopping you already do!

Try the best rewards app for students! Shopkick makes shopping for school supplies and whatever else you need a rewarding experience. Download the app today and start earning kicks! 

Image courtesy of Jacob Lund

Use a shopping app to save money on your everyday purchases

I like to think of myself as a budget-stretching expert. Though, I must admit it took me a while to actually get good at finding the best and most efficient ways to save money. When I first began stretching my budget, I found myself doing things like clipping coupons or signing up for programs that didn’t have enough of a savings-to-time-and-energy-required ratio.

I remember thinking it would be great if I could find new ways to save money on things I already do. That way, I wouldn’t have to invest any extra time into saving money. Thankfully, I’ve learned that I can use a shopping app to save money on my everyday purchases and it’s such a wonderful thing! 

So that you all don’t have to go through what I did at the beginning of my budget-stretching adventures, I’d like to share what I’ve learned.

How to Use a Shopping App to Save Money

Find a Shopping App You Like

The first step to using a shopping app to save money on your everyday purchases is to find one that you really like. The goal is to find new ways to save money on everyday purchases and you’re not going to be able to do that unless you find an app that you enjoy using every day. 

Finding an app that has a fun concept is key. There are apps designed to help you save money while you perform an interesting task or make a purchase. The ideal shopping app to use to save money on your everyday purchases should be one that’s fun, works at the stores you like to shop at, and saves you money on the purchases you regularly make.

Make Sure Your App Also Works When Shopping Online

the best shopping app to save moneyOver the years more and more of my shopping has moved online. At first, online shopping felt like a novelty. It was a fun thing I did when I was looking for a rare item or something new I hadn’t tried before. Now, it’s a key part of my daily shopping routine. In fact, I think my so-called everyday purchases are probably split evenly between online and in-store shopping! 

If you’re like me, you’ll absolutely want to find a shopping app to save money that works with all of the purchases you make. Some shopping apps out there are online-only and others are better suited for helping you rack up savings in-store. In order to maximize your savings, you’re going to want to find an app that can work for all types of shopping. You’re also want to find an app that’s convenient—one that works alongside other rewards app—so that all of your rewards are in one easy-to-redeem location.  

What Is the Best Shopping App to Save Money?

My personal favorite shopping app to save money on everyday purchases is called Shopkick; it has absolutely changed the way I look at my everyday shopping. The way Shopkick works is that it gives you kicks for your everyday shopping. You can get your kicks by doing the stuff you already do when you shop online or in the store. This includes walking into stores, scanning barcodes of participating products, watching online videos, and, of course, actually making purchases. Then, you can trade your kicks in for free gift cards! It really is that simple, and you can use Shopkick both online and in-store.

What I also like about Shopkick is the way the app makes me actually look forward to doing my shopping. Shopping when you’re very busy can sometimes feel like a chore, but with Shopkick’s incentives, it feels much more like I’m going out on a fun scavenger hunt for points and savings. It’s like a game to see just how many kicks I can earn and my prize is saving money by using the free gift cards.

Shopping when you’re very busy can sometimes feel like a chore, but with Shopkick’s incentives, it feels much more like I’m going out on a fun scavenger hunt for points and savings.

I’m so grateful that I discovered Shopkick. With all the errands I have to run, I don’t have much time for savings programs that require extra activities outside of my normal routine. The beauty of Shopkick is that it lets me save money for the everyday shopping that I already do and it works in conjunction with some of my favorite rewards app such as the Target rewards app; I can’t recommend it enough. 

It’s time to get your kicks! Shopkick is simply the best shopping app to save money on your everyday purchases, both online and in-store Download the app today start earning kicks! 

Image courtesy of STEKLO

The 7 best cash back apps for shopping any store in 2020

The 7 best cash back apps for shopping any store in 2020

Now that the year 2020 is actually here, I’m kind of amazed that we don’t all have jetpacks or flying cars. But, there is some pretty cool technology that we do have access to. I absolutely love being able to watch whatever I want at any given time thanks to streaming services. I also love having a smart coffeemaker that has my favorite cup percolating in the morning the minute I get up. We have access to so much technology that we didn’t have a decade ago—one of those being the number of mobile apps. I mean, how cool is it that we have apps out there that can simplify our everyday lives?  

That’s why today I want to take a closer look at all of the best cash back apps for 2020—these lucky seven apps will surely make your life easier this year

Best Cash Back Apps 2020

Before we get to the best cash back apps for 2020, there are a few things to note: most of these apps are for shopping at any store while others strictly for online use or use at certain types of stores. But no need to worry, all of them are designed to make shopping a little easier! Let’s take a look at some of my favorites.

Rakuten

Some of you may remember when this app was called Ebates but now it’s called Rakuten. It’s an app you can use to get cash back on purchases at any store, as long as that store is online. It’s pretty simple. You download and then simply do your online shopping through the app. 

In true futuristic fashion, you can even add a Google Chrome extension to your web browser that just adds a Rakuten cash back button whenever you’re on a site that has a deal. Rakuten also has a feature called Coupon Magic, which automatically applies coupons as users shop, getting them even more cash back in the checkout process. I recommend this app for anyone who prefers to shop online.

GetUpside

For those who don’t prefer to shop online, there’s GetUpside. This app rewards shoppers for making in-person purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. Depending on the location, shoppers are given a percentage of cash back for their purchase. It’s pretty simple, especially since we need gas to get around each day—that’s an easy way to earn cash back.  

Instacart

What if I told you that in the future, you could push a few buttons on your smartphone, and then before you know it, all of the groceries that you need for the week will be delivered right to your door? The future is closer than you think! This has been a reality for some time with Instacart and you don’t have to just use it to shop for yourself. You can also use it to get paid to shop for others, too. When used on its own, Instacart isn’t a cash back app, but when used in conjunction with the next app on the list, you’re well on your way to getting funds back for shopping!    

Shopkick

Shopkick is a great way to earn cash back both online and in stores! When you use this app, you’ll earn “kicks” (aka, cash!) for doing things like walking into stores, scanning participating products, and of course, making purchases.You can then trade in your kicks in for FREE gift cards that are just as valuable as cash. Shopkick turns every trip to the store into a fun scavenger hunt for points. Instead of just buying things, you get to look for items and other features that will reward you the most kicks. It’s a blast, and I absolutely love that it can be used alongside many of the other apps on this list.  

Survey Junkie

I prefer to use Survey Junkie when I have a little downtime. Once you download the app you can start earning cash to take surveys. Like any research company, it’s free for you to sign up and participate. The more surveys you take, the more points you get, and you can later trade those points in for cash. I’ve been told that the surveys pay anywhere from $2 to $75. If I’m out shopping and there’s a long line, I will log on to Survey Junkie and take a few surveys—it’s a quick and convenient way to earn cash back!

Paribus

Remember years ago when stores would advertise that they would match a price at a competing store? Basically, if you bought something at one price and then found it somewhere else cheaper, you could get some of your money back for it. Well, Paribus has modernized that concept.

Let’s say you buy something and then you see it somewhere else at a lower price point—Paribus gives you the cash back for the difference. It really is that easy! While you can’t use this app as consistently as some of the others on our list, it will definitely provide some peace of mind!

Acorns

Acorns makes it easy to invest the spare change you’re left with after making everyday purchases. Let’s say you buy something for $2.75, Acorns will round that purchase up to $3, and then take the $0.25 differential and invest it into the stock market for you, which in ideal circumstances will ultimately yield cash back for you at some point in the future.

Twenty-five cents might not seem like all that much, but if your purchase differentials total $5 a day… that will add up to more than $1,800 throughout the course of the year. With Acorns, you can transfer the money at any time, and the only caveat is that you have to invest a minimum of $1 a month, which I sometimes accomplish after just two purchases. If you refer a friend, you also get a $5 credit that you can withdraw at any time.

In my opinion, these are the best cash back apps for 2020. Many of them can be used in conjunction with other apps on this list. And while seven is a lucky number, if I had to choose just one, it would definitely be Shopkick. I love the fact that it can be used when making everyday purchases and I love that it turns shopping into a fun scavenger hunt for points.  

It’s time to get your kicks! Shopkick makes shopping at any store a rewarding experience. Download the app today and make sure to get your kicks instantly in 2020!

The best shopping app for groceries when you’re on a budget

With three growing boys at home, I find myself spending a lot of time at the grocery store near my house. In fact, I spend so much time there that I have a favorite cashier, and her name is Andrea. That’s right, we’re even on a first-name basis. During each of my many trips to the grocery store, I always make it a point to hop into Andrea’s line. She’s fast and always makes sure I get the right prices on my items. It always surprises her when I find such great deals on items.  

As she rings me up, we also talk about trending topics and the latest shows. I also tell her about all the cool ways I find to make things work on my budget. Even though she works at the grocery store, I was surprised to find out that she didn’t know the best shopping app for groceries when you’re on a budget. It made me wonder how many others out there who are on a budget would benefit from hearing about the best shopping app for groceries, which is why today I’d like to share with all of you what I told my friend Andrea.

Shopping App for Groceries

What is a shopping app for groceries?

I couldn’t believe Andrea had never heard of a shopping app for groceries. So, before I could get to the business of telling her about my favorite, I had to explain to her what it is and how it works. The way a shopping app for groceries works is actually really simple, once you become familiar with it.

Any shopping app for groceries that is worth having is free to download. It should also work with either an Apple or an Android smartphone, so technology problems really aren’t a barrier. There are different types of shopping apps out there. Some of them are limited to only being used at certain stores, while others can be used practically anywhere—even online. 

What are the benefits of a shopping app for groceries?

the best shopping app for groceriesMy favorite types of grocery shopping apps are those that give you rewards you can trade in later for cash or gift cards. The main benefit of these apps is that you save money. There are different ways these apps work, but the best of the bunch gives you rewards for the shopping you already do. You can then trade those awards in for savings. The best shopping apps for groceries change the shopping experience altogether by adding a new layer of fun that actually makes you look forward to going to the store, as crazy as that sounds.

What is the best shopping app for groceries?

I think at this point in our conversation Andrea was hooked. She just wanted to know which shopping app for groceries I recommend she download. And you know what? I was more than happy to tell her about my favorite: Shopkick.

Shopkick gives me points for the things I do when I’m out shopping already, including walking into the store, interacting with products, and making purchases. These points are called “kicks” and you can trade them in for gift cards to use at your favorite stores. This helps me save money which is big for me for obvious reasons. More than that, though, Shopkick has changed the way I think about going to the store. I used to hate going grocery shopping. But with Shopkick, I have really started to look forward to going to the store, even if it’s my third trip for groceries that week. 

For those who might not enjoy going to the store as much as I do, Shopkick also caters to you!

For those who might not enjoy going to the store as much as I do, Shopkick also caters to you! You can discover products, recipes, and shop within the app via Walmart Grocery online if you can’t make it to the store.  

I hope you enjoyed hearing all that I have to say about the best shopping app for groceries, Shopkick. With three growing boys at home—and a budget that isn’t all that flexible—anything that helps me save money and have more fun doing errands is near and dear to my heart.

I really hope you all give Shopkick a chance. I’m almost certain you’ll love it as much as I do. There’s just no better way to save money while also having a good time shopping for groceries!

It’s time to get your kicks! Shopkick is hands down the best shopping app for groceries when you’re on a budget. Download the app today and start getting your kicks now! 

Image courtesy of Dmitry Kalinovsky

3 rewards app hacks (that you didn’t hear from us)

Sometimes I don’t think people really know the meaning of the phrase “hack.” For example, I’ve been taking a class at nights and one of my classmates recently said to me: “So, life hack: the best way to get ahead on this next test is to do all the reading and study the night before.” He said it like he was giving me some secret information that only he had figured out. I thought to myself, “Um, that’s not a life hack…that’s just life.” 

If you ask me, a life hack is a way to do something much easier. It’s usually something that’s not quite obvious and that a lot of people don’t already know about. I have friends who have told me about really valuable life hacks for things like washing their cars. But I think I’ve discovered some of the most valuable: rewards app hacks—all of which are so valuable, that if anyone asks, I’d deny telling you about them!

So without further adieu, let’s get to the three rewards app hacks that you didn’t hear from me!

The Best Rewards App Hacks

1. Find a Rewards App to Use Online

My first rewards app hack is a simple one: find a rewards app that you can use online. I know, it sounds obvious, but I just know so many friends who think in order to use a rewards app, you have to go to a physical store. That is true for some, but it’s not always the case. That’s why the first rewards app hack that I have to share with you today is to make sure you get one you can use both online and in brick-and-mortar stores.

Why is this a valuable thing to do? Well, because let’s face it, nobody has time to go to the store to do all of their shopping these days, and even if they did, there are some deals that you can only find online. It’s valuable to have a rewards app that you can use online because I’m pretty sure that all of us these days are doing some, or even most, of our shopping online. By only getting an app that you can use in-person, or even worse not realizing you can use the rewards app you have online, you could be leaving valuable rewards on the table. For obvious reasons, you don’t want to do that!

2. Use Two Rewards Apps at Once

3 rewards app hacksNow that you’re using your first rewards app hack, and collecting your rewards both online and offline, it’s time to move on to our next rewards app hack. This is one that I’ve been using for years. What you do is basically use two rewards apps at once. So, let’s think about the different types of rewards apps. 

There are store loyalty apps, like those that you can download from Target or Starbucks. There are also some rewards apps that require picking certain deals from a list that the developers update every week. There are also credit card rewards apps and programs that give you points every time you buy certain things with your credit card. Finally, there are rewards apps that you can use each and every time you go out shopping. The trick to this is to just remember to use more than one. So, let’s say you use your credit card that gives you 2% back on purchases. When you do, remember to also use a rewards app that gives you points each time you go out shopping, which is a nifty hack to basically double your savings! It really is that easy. 

3. Learn to Love Shopkick

Okay, so my final rewards app hack might fall into the category I described at the start, but I still really want to share it because it’s also my absolute favorite. Basically, this one entails simply downloading and using this app called Shopkick. That’s really all there is to it. You go to your smartphone, find Shopkick, download it, and use it each and every time you shop. Why do I like Shopkick so much?

Well, I’ll happily tell you! Shopkick is just a blast to use. It gives you reward points, which it calls “kicks,” for going shopping and doing things like walking into stores, scanning barcodes of participating products, and, of course, making purchases. You can also use it when you go shopping online, getting points for making purchases that way too. Before long, you’ll even start to like shopping more with Shopkick because it turns each and every trip to the store into a fun scavenger hunt for kicks. I just love it, and I’m sure you will too!

We all know life and shopping can be a hassle at times, but with these hacks, it’ll be that much easier for you!

There you go, three great rewards app hacks that you can start using today. So remember, the first step is to download a shopping rewards app—don’t forget my favorite, Shopkick. The next step is to go shopping. You can go shopping online or in-store and you can use Shopkick at the same time you’re using some of your other favorite rewards apps, such as the credit card that gives you a percentage back on purchases or the branded app to your favorite store. We all know life and shopping can be a hassle at times, but with these hacks, it’ll be that much easier for you!

It’s time to start earning kicks! Shopkick makes shopping a rewarding experience. Download the app today and start using all of our rewards app hacks to earn kicks! 

Image courtesy of WAYHOME studio

How to earn cashback on household bills—the easy way

When you live in a household with three boys like my husband and I do, very few things are predictable. We never know how much they’re going to eat in one day, although we do know it’s a lot. We never know what kind of mess will be made but we know there will be a big one. In fact, I like to joke that the only things that seem to remain constant in our house are the utility bills and the need to go back out shopping.

As you can imagine, those are also the things that put the biggest strain on my budget each month. For many years I’ve often found myself wishing there was a way to save on one or the other. Well, as fate would just so have it, I recently found a way to save on one by doing the other—I found out how to earn cashback on household bills by shopping. That’s right! You can use your everyday trips to the grocery store to help out with other expenses around the house.  

Earn Cashback on Household Bills

If bills are straining your budget like they’re doing mine, you’re going to want to check out these ways to earn cashback on household bills. 

Instacart

The first way I’ve found to earn cashback on household bills is by using Instacart. When I was first introduced to this app I was thrilled at the idea of having someone do the grocery shopping for me. Now, my budget doesn’t always allow me to take advantage of that. But thankfully, there’s another side of Instacart that I’ve found to be pretty beneficial. 

The way you can earn cashback on household bills through Instacart is by sort of reversing it and being the person who goes out and does the shopping. It’s really that simple. Someone like me who is just too busy to get to the store needs some shopping done, you go out and do that shopping, and then you have the extra cash to put toward your household bills. 

Starbucks App

how to earn cashback on household billsI guess I was maybe a little less than accurate earlier when I said that the only two things that stay constant in my house are my household bills and my need to go shopping. If I’m being honest, there’s also a third constant in my house—my own personal need for Starbucks, specifically flat whites, which are my absolute favorite. Even in the summertime, I’ll find myself stopping by Starbucks for a quick pick-me-up. And, there’s also a way to earn cashback for household bills in the process.

The way to do this is by downloading the Starbucks app. That way, every time you go into Starbucks, you’re getting points that eventually pile up and help you get free drinks. And you know what? If you’re anything like me, the money you’re spending on Starbucks drinks goes a long way, and it can really help you put a dent in your household bills. Oh, and one more tip: you can also use the Starbucks app to have your drink waiting for you when you arrive so that you can even skip the line! 

Shopkick

The last way to earn cashback on household bills also happens to be my favorite. It’s a shopping rewards app called Shopkick. What Shopkick does is give you points, which it cleverly calls “kicks,” that you can trade-in later for cashback through PayPal cash credit, or for gift cards to many of your favorite stores. Shopkick turns your everyday shopping into a way to earn rewards that you can use on later trips so that you have more money to put toward your household bills. It’s pretty awesome!

Why Shopkick is my favorite, though, is because it also turns every trip out to the store into a fun scavenger hunt to get your kicks. With Shopkick, you get kicks for things like walking into certain stores, scanning barcodes of certain products, and, of course, making purchases. I find myself looking forward to running out to the store just so I can push myself to get as many kicks as possible. When I don’t feel like going out, I can also earn kicks at home by shopping online or watching videos about partnering products in the app. Essentially, Shopkick is not only fun, but it’s also easy to use. In my book, there’s no better way to earn cashback on household bills.

So there you have it, three great ways to earn cashback on household bills.

So there you have it, three great ways to earn cashback on household bills. While I like them all, and I have been known to mix and match them in the past, I do have to say that Shopkick is my overall favorite. With three growing boys at home, I find myself doing quite a bit of shopping, especially grocery shopping. Thankfully, I have Shopkick to make it worth my while. 

It’s time to get your kicks! Shopkick makes shopping a rewarding experience. Download the app today and start to earn cashback to put toward your household bills now! 

Image courtesy of George Rudy

The 8 Best Rewards Apps to Earn Free Fun Money

The 8 Best Rewards Apps to Earn Free Fun Money

Ever since I was young, I’ve always had to have the absolute best of everything. For me, the best doesn’t always mean the most or biggest thing. Instead, it’s something that makes me feel great. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with finding the best food trucks in my area. I fell in love with food trucks a few years ago when they started to pop up where I live, and now I’ve made it a mission to try them all in search of the very best!.

While I’m not quite ready to share the list of the best food trucks in my area, I can share with you a list of other best things that have made my food truck missions possible. Eating at so many food trucks obviously costs money and so today I want to talk about the eight best rewards apps that help me earn free fun money. The type of money that I can spend on every last food truck in town without guilt. While similar, many of these apps involve different tasks to earn money, so I’ve done my best to leave none of my favorites off the list.

8 Best Rewards Apps to Earn Money…for Free!

The Starbucks App

As a busy person, a coffee-lover, and someone who just has to find all of the absolute best bargains that are out there, I love the Starbucks app. There are two major benefits to using the Starbucks app. First, you can use it to do things like order ahead and skip the line, which for me is often a must. I just don’t know how many times I’ve been in a big rush, needed a quick pick-me-up, and the Starbucks app helped me grab a quick flat white while I’m out on the move. 

The other major benefit of the Starbucks app is that there are rewards built right in. What that means is that every time you swing by Starbucks for a quick coffee, you earn stars (or rewards points). You can later trade those stars in for free drinks or food. A lot of stores have this type of branded app that’s aimed at incentivizing your loyalty.

Type of App:

Branded for store loyalty.

Is it the Best?:

For coffee? Of course!

Instacart

Instacart can be an absolutely life-changing app. I know for someone as busy as me, it’s definitely one of the all-time best time-saving apps. It essentially makes it so you can have someone shop for your personal grocery list, sometimes in as fast as an hour. I don’t know about you, but that saves me from so many potential headaches.

Did you know, however, that you can also earn money with Instacart too? The way you do that is by being the person shopping for others. It’s really a game-changer for your budget if you ever find yourself in a pinch or if you just want to pad your budget a bit, too. Instacart is a great way to get extra money to use to do even more shopping or to visit food trucks like me. 

Type of App:

One that pays you to shop.

Is it the Best?:

Sure. If you’re looking for a flexible, part-time shopping gig.

Checkout 51

Checkout51 is another cool app. The way this one works is that each week, it gives you a new set of deals from which to choose. You can then go make purchases that qualify for those deals, keep your receipt, and take a picture of it in order to collect your cash back.

I don’t think this is the all-time best rewards app, mostly because it is so heavily dependent on whether that week’s deals are good for you or not. Is it the best some weeks? Maybe. It really just depends. I will say, though, that one thing I really like about this app is how fun it is to check out the new set of deals each week and see what you’re interested in buying.

Type of App:

Rewards app for shoppers.

Is it the Best?:

It’s pretty good, but some weeks are better than others because of the way it works.

Shopkick

When it comes to picking the best rewards app to earn free fun money, my favorite is Shopkick. There’s so much to love about Shopkick, but one of the things that makes it the best is that you can combine it with almost all of the other ways to earn free fun money that we talk about on this list. You can use it with your Starbucks app, while you shop for Instacart, or even in tandem with Checkout 51. There’s just so much versatility to this app.

Shopkick basically turns going shopping into a scavenger hunt. You hunt down a featured product to get your kicks, which are points that you can later turn into free gift cards. I use it almost every time I go out to the store, and for me, that’s about as good as it gets.

Type of App:

Rewards app.

Is it the Best?:

Yes, Shopkick is my absolute favorite of all of the shopping rewards apps online. I highly recommend it!

Rakuten

You might know Rakuten as Ebates, which recently changed its name. The way this one works is that users head over to Rakuten.com, sign up, shop online through the site, and receive cash back on certain purchases.

It’s a pretty great setup, and you can almost always find tons of excellent things to buy through Rakuten’s website. What makes it even better is that Rakuten also offers other ways to save such as daily deals, coupons, and promo codes. Like many of the other selections on this list, you can also combine it somewhat seamlessly with other apps, really enhancing the amount of free fun money that you can earn.

Type of App:

An online shopping app.

Is it the Best?:

Sure! If you prefer to shop only online.

Google Opinion Rewards

Google Opinion Rewards is a rewards app that lets you earn free fun money by answering quick surveys. That’s exactly what it sounds like. You get a survey, you answer it, and you get rewards, which in this case come in the form of Google Play credit. I’m sure that I don’t have to tell you that there are plenty of great ways to spend that.

This one isn’t, in my opinion, the all-time best of the rewards apps, but it’s kind of fun to give your opinion about all the different things it asks about. I know some of my girlfriends absolutely love giving their takes on a bunch of different things. It’s also something you can quickly do each day when you have a few minutes of downtime, which for someone with my schedule is an incredibly valuable thing.

Type of App:

Survey app.

Is it the Best?:

If you love to give tons and tons of opinions about things, sure.

Foap

I don’t know about you, but I just love taking photos. You know what I love even more than taking photos? Getting paid to take photos in free fun money. That’s where the app Foap comes into play.

The way Foap works is that you post pictures on it from your mobile phone. Other users can then buy your photos on the app for $10. Each time that they do, you get half of the money, which is eventually paid out to you at the end of the month via PayPal. The best part, if you ask me, is that you can sell the same photo over and over and over again, which means if you take one that people really like, there is no end in sight for your free fun money on this one.

Type of App:

An app to sell photos.

Is it the Best?:

It all depends on how strong a photographer you are.

Slidejoy

Out of all the apps on this list, I think Slidejoy is the one where you have to do the least. See, all that Slidejoy really entails is letting the app modify the lock screen on your smartphone. It just replaces whatever you have on there now with things like trending topics, ads, and other content. Each time you click to look at it or even just to open your phone, you get points.

This is great for some really obvious reasons, namely that you can tally points by just opening your phone and occasionally engaging with the content that Slidejoy puts on there. Like some of the other apps on our list here today, this is one that you can use to fill your downtown, whether you’re waiting for a friend to arrive, killing some time, or whatever else. It’s that easy to use. In fact, sometimes I forget that I’m even using it at all.

Type of App:

Lock screen ads app.

Is it the Best?:

It’s a great one for making free fun money without really doing anything.

So there you have it: the eight best rewards apps to earn free fun money. Though, as I mentioned earlier, the best, in my opinion, is Shopkick, which you can combine with almost all of the other apps on this list. It makes going to the store fun, and, best of all, using Shopkick just gives you so many chances to earn gift cards that are just as good as cash…for free!

It’s time to get your kicks! Of the many rewards apps out there, Shopkick’s versatility, fun setup, and other qualities make it the absolute best rewards app. Download the app today so you too can earn fun money for free!

Can I use a shopping app to earn money?

When you’re growing up, you always hear people using the term “broke college student.” It wasn’t until I became one that I understood what it truly meant. With my hectic schedule that includes classes, internships, and trying to find time to have even a little bit of a social life, it’s very hard to find time to get even a part-time job for extra money. 

You might be thinking to yourself, “Well why would you even need a job with all of that going on?” The problem is, I’ve always liked to shop, and I can’t just turn that off now that I’m in college. I’ve had to figure out other ways to continue with my hobby but on a tighter budget. One way I’ve done this is by using a shopping app to earn money. That’s right, I’ve found a way to do what I love while also earning money. Here’s how.   

How to Use a Shopping App to Earn Money

Here are three easy steps that will help you get familiar with using shopping apps to earn money, too.

1. Make Sure You Have a Compatible Mobile Device

Look, I know this one sounds a little basic, but the first step to really learning how to use a shopping app to earn money is making sure you have a smartphone. I know, I know…if you’re anything like me, you can’t live without your smartphone, so this should be an easy one, but it’s still worth going over. The fact is, all of my favorite shopping apps require a smartphone to use them.

I’m personally an Apple iOS user, but I have a lot of friends who use shopping apps with Android systems, too. I’m told they both work equally as well. If you already have a smartphone with the capability to download apps, you’re one step closer to earning money. 

2. Download Shopkick

how to use a shopping app to earn moneySo, to be totally honest, I’m a little biased here, because I have a personal favorite shopping app that I want to recommend. My favorite shopping rewards app to use is Shopkick. Trying Shopkick involves more than just downloading it, of course, so I also want to tell you a little bit about how it works.

The way you can earn money with Shopkick is through getting what the app calls “kicks.” You can earn kicks by walking into certain stores (a favorite of mine as a college student), scanning the barcodes of participating products, buying things, and even doing activities at home like making purchases online or watching videos. After you’ve earned enough kicks, you can trade them in for gift cards to some of your favorite stores, which are just as good as cash. It’s really cool, and I’m sure once you try it, you’ll love it as much as I do.

3. Use Shopkick Frequently

In order to earn money with Shopkick, you’ll most definitely want to use it as much as possible. There are a lot of different free apps to earn money, but I love Shopkick because it turns every shopping trip into a fun scavenger hunt for kicks. I love that I can use Shopkick at many of my favorite stores, earn kicks while shopping, exchange those kicks for gift cards, and turn around and use them to shop even more.  

Another reason I love Shopkick is that I can also use the app to earn kicks online. And, obviously, I don’t have to go anywhere for that. I can do it from my dorm, the library, the coffee shop, or wherever else I happen to be. Shopkick being this easy to use is definitely one of the reasons I love it, and I’m sure you’ll agree once you give it a chance, too.

Shopkick being this easy to use is definitely one of the reasons I love it, and I’m sure you’ll agree once you give it a chance, too.

Want to Earn Money with a Shopping App? Try Shopkick

If you’re really busy because of school, or for any other reason, I think you should give Shopkick a chance. The way it works just makes it so easy to use; whether you’re earning kicks for shopping online or at your favorite store. Shopkick can help you get kicks that you can eventually turn into gift cards that are as good as cash.

I really love college. I know I talk about how busy I am, and that’s all true. Still, I’ve never had such a good time doing so many new things. Now I don’t have to give up my favorite hobby, because I’ve been using Shopkick as a shopping app to earn money. I just can’t recommend it enough!

Want to use a shopping app to earn money? Check out Shopkick! It makes it easy for everyone to earn money, even the super busy college kids. Download the app today and start getting your kicks now! 

Image courtesy of Jelena Zelen

How to earn rewards on your everyday purchases

My friends and family have always said that “kids are magical.” I think I have to agree. I mean, my three boys have this trick where they can make anything I buy disappear in what feels like the blink of an eye. Shampoo? Gone before I know it, usually because they love to make bubbles in the bath. Cereal for breakfast? Oh, I better say goodbye to that the minute it comes in the door. Even toothpaste has a way of ending up empty, and, much to my dismay, all over the sink.

Replacing all those “magically” disappearing items around the house can really add up—I don’t think my budget is a big fan of magic. Fortunately for me and my budget, I’ve recently found great ways to earn rewards on everyday purchases, the kind of purchases my kids are so great at making disappear. These methods have really made a difference, helping me find new ways to turn my own shopping into magic with great savings through gift cards and other rewards.

Now, I know magicians are not supposed to share their tricks, but I just can’t help myself here. Today I’d like to teach you all how to earn rewards on your own everyday purchases, so you and your budget can start benefiting just as much as I have. 

Trick #1: Consider Ditching Old-Fashioned Couponing

There are a few different ways to earn rewards on everyday purchases in order to lessen the blow on your budget when you have to constantly replenish. You can always clip coupons, but, quite honestly, who really wants to deal with that kind of hassle? Literally clipping out and organizing coupons is time-consuming, and when you’re as busy as I am with three growing boys, the stacks of mailers and newspaper inserts tend to pile up, reminding me every time I happen to glance at them that I don’t have the time.

learn how to earn rewards on everyday purchasesThat’s why I prefer using shopping rewards apps. These are apps that do exactly what we’re here to talk about today—they give you rewards for your everyday purchases. There are a few to pick from—and I’ll go into specifics about my favorites in a moment—but for the most part, these are apps that make grocery shopping easier, as well as most of the other shopping you have to do on a regular basis. You simply download them, get a feel for how they work, and watch the savings start to roll in…like magic! 

Trick #2: Combine Loyalty Programs with Rewards 

I think the most important thing for newbie shopping rewards app users to understand is that there are two distinct types of shopping rewards apps to choose from:

  • Branded rewards apps: These are essentially the new evolution of stores having shopper loyalty programs. They are apps created and maintained by specific stores—think Target, Ulta, Starbucks—that you can only use at those stores. They have specific deals and perks designed to reward loyal shoppers. They’re really quite helpful, although maybe not as helpful as what we’re about to talk about next.
  • Shopping rewards apps: These are apps that you can use at many different stores as well as online to earn rewards on your everyday purchases. They’re very versatile, and depending on how you use them, they can act as both grocery shopping rewards apps, as well as apps that rake in points for shopping online and at the mall. When you have to shop as much as I do, that kind of versatility is crucial.

Another really helpful thing to remember here, at least for me, is that you can use these two types of apps in tandem. So, let’s say you’re grocery shopping on a budget—like I am most months—you can use Target’s branded app to learn about exclusive deals for users of that app, while also using a shopping rewards app that gives you points for making purchases at Target. Cool, right?

Trick #3: Earn Rewards on Everyday Purchases with Shopkick

So, at this point, you’re probably wondering what these shopping rewards apps are all about because I’ve made them sound a bit like magic. Let me explain by telling you about my favorite of the bunch. It’s called Shopkick, and what it does is basically turn every trip to the store into a scavenger hunt for points, which the app calls kicks. Essentially, you go about your usual shopping and get your kicks by doing things like walking into stores, scanning the barcodes on items, and making purchases at checkout.

Shopkick is easy to use, too! I highly recommend you try it out!

These kicks are the rewards for your everyday purchases, which you can trade in later for gift cards to many of your favorite stores. I also really like this app because it almost always has bundles of special offers that help me stretch my budget even further. These bundles give me extra kicks for buying certain items, and I absolutely love feeling like I’m earning more points than I would have otherwise. Shopkick is easy to use, too! I highly recommend you try it out!

So, there you have it. These are my favorite tricks to earn rewards on everyday purchases. Thankfully, the days of coupon clipping are over and have been replaced by apps that are easy to use on your smartphone. Honestly, you won’t miss cutting out paper coupons at all. I know I don’t.

I’m far too happy with all the money I’ve been saving through my shopping rewards apps. I used to shake my head and marvel a bit at how fast my boys went through items like cereal and shampoo. I still do now, but I don’t worry about my budget nearly as much. And that’s a wonderful thing!

It’s time to get your kicks! Shopkick makes shopping a rewarding experience and allows you to earn rewards on your everyday purchases. Download the app today and start taking advantage of our bundles and other features to earn your kicks instantly! 

Image courtesy of Stokkete

The most legit cashback apps for shopaholics on a tight budget

I used to hear people talk about a tight budget all the time, but, to be honest, I didn’t really realize what being on a tight budget meant until I became a full-time college student. Between my classes, my internship, and trying to have some sort of social life, I just don’t have much time to get a real job that can support my love of shopping. Luckily, I’ve found a solution…or three. They’re called cashback apps, and they’re fantastic.

Cashback apps are exactly what they sound like—apps that you can use to get cashback. I don’t know about you, but I love this idea. So, I’ve been trying out as many of them as I can, and I’m proud to say that I’ve nailed down a list of some of the most legit cashback apps for shopaholics on a tight budget, whether they’re in college or not. And today it’s my pleasure to share them with all of you!

3 Legit Cashback Apps

Check out this list below. I’ve got three very different types of apps that do different things, but I hope you’ll find them all to be as totally legit as I do.

1. SurveyJunkie

Okay, so this first one on my list of legit cashback apps is actually one that you can use during downtime while you’re shopping. It’s called SurveyJunkie, and you can use it from your smartphone to take surveys that give you cashback. My friends and I like to use SurveyJunkie while we’re waiting in line, taking a break somewhere and grabbing a coffee, or anywhere else we have a few free moments between classes.

One thing to keep in mind is that you have to be at least 18 years old to use it. How much cash you get back from this app really depends on how much you use it. There are some days I’m really busy with classes and whatever else, and I only end up getting $5 from it, but there are other days when I have plenty of time to use it to shop. During those weeks, I’m able to get as much as $50 cash back just for taking surveys. It’s great, and it’s so nice to have that extra money. I highly recommend it, even if you only use it while you’re standing in line to check out!

2. PayPal

This sounds funny, but the most important cashback app is the one that literally gives you cash back. I’m talking about PayPal, which is the site you can use to move cash around online, get gifts from your relatives (always the best), and do whatever other financial business you have on the internet. There is one thing to note: In order to receive cash back, shoppers must use the PayPal Cashback Mastercard which offers 2% back on everyday purchases as opposed to other apps that give you free gift cards.

An added bonus with this one is that my parents are totally cool with it too, because it’s known for being secure. I can already tell this is going to be an invaluable app for me, especially when it comes to shopping online. Plus, most of my favorite online stores accept PayPal. So, if you don’t have a PayPal account, I highly recommend creating one, because it’s one of the easiest ways to get cashback. 

3. Shopkick

try this cashback app legitDon’t get me wrong, the last two legit cashback apps I discussed are great, but this one is my absolute favorite. It’s called Shopkick, and I use it any time I do any shopping, which, if I’m being honest, is a lot. Shopkick is great because you can use it for both your online and in-person shopping to get cashback or free gift cards.

Shopkick is pretty simple and actually a lot of fun. This legit cashback app basically turns every trip to the store into a fun scavenger hunt for points called “kicks.” You can get your kicks in all kinds of ways, but the ones I like the best are walking into stores, scanning certain items, and, of course, making purchases. You can then trade your kicks in for gift cards to your favorite stores, which given how much I like to shop, is just as good as cash. In addition, with Shopkick you can also earn money shopping online, get kicks for making purchases, or even just for watching videos. It’s great, and, after Instagram, it’s probably the app that my friends and I have been using the most lately. I can’t recommend it enough!

On a Tight Budget? Try Shopkick

It can be hard to find the most legit cashback apps. Some apps don’t have as many great benefits as others, while some apps might not suit your personal tastes. Take it from me, a certified self-declared shopaholic, these are three of the best out there, and I’ve been using them all quite a bit lately. 

Take it from me, a certified self-declared shopaholic, these are three of the best out there!

As I said above, though, Shopkick is easily my favorite cashback app. I love it, and not just because I can use it at so many awesome stores, but also because it turns all of my shopping trips into fun scavenger hunts for kicks. I also love that on the days when I don’t feel like going out—or when classes are too hectic—I can still get my kicks by shopping online. Basically, it makes being a shopaholic even more fun than it already is!

It’s time to get your kicks! Shopkick is one of the most legit cashback apps, and it just makes shopping such a rewarding experience. Download the app today and start getting your kicks ASAP! 

Image courtesy of Dean Drobot

3 holly, jolly Christmas shopping hacks for last-minute shoppers

One of the things I’ve always loved about shopping is the challenge. Most of the year, when I say challenge, I’m talking about hunting for the best possible deal, whether that’s in person or online. When it comes to Christmas shopping, however, there is an entirely different set of challenges. There’s making the list of friends and family you need to shop for; making sure you actually find something for everyone on your list; and, of course, making sure you get everything on your list in time for the actual holiday.

There’s no bigger challenge than overcoming the odds to check everything off your Christmas list at the very last minute. Waiting until the last minute is risky, of course, but when you find yourself in that position year after year, you start to develop some very useful hacks. I know I’ve certainly learned some great Christmas shopping hacks over the years, so much so that I am absolutely confident in my ability to finish my list, even if I’m still out there at the last minute.

3 Christmas Shopping Hacks 

3 Christmas shopping hacksSince Christmas is the season of giving, today I’d like to share some of my most useful tips with all of you. Waiting until the last minute can mean that you inadvertently put yourself at risk of not finishing your list, but with these three super helpful Christmas shopping hacks for last-minute shoppers, you can rest assured that it will be a very merry Christmas for all of your friends and family!

1. Ask About Price Matching

This first Christmas shopping hack is for anyone out there who likes to shop at online retailers that are a bit off the beaten path and might not offer free next-day shipping like Amazon. I know in recent years I’ve found great last-minute gifts at obscure online retailers. The problem, however, can be that their shipping window is either too long to get the gift to you in time for the holiday, or that expedited shipping costs so much that you might as well drive to wherever they’re located and get it yourself, which for obvious reasons isn’t an option.

The good thing, though, is that in order to compete with online stores, almost all brick-and-mortar retailers these days offer price matching. You just have to ask. If you find something for a cheaper price online, simply ask a brick-and-mortar retailer that sells the same item if they’ll match the price. In this day and age, I would be shocked if they didn’t. That one simple question could potentially save you both valuable time and money at the end of the Christmas shopping season.

Here is a quick list of some retailers that may price match:

  • Bass Pro Shop / Cabela’s
  • Bed Bath & Beyond
  • Best Buy
  • Dick’s Sporting Goods
  • Fry’s Electronics
  • The Home Depot
  • JCPenney
  • Kohl’s
  • Lowe’s
  • Michael’s
  • Office Depot
  • Petco
  • Staples
  • Target

Holly, Jolly Score: 3/5 Hollies

2. Use Customer Loyalty Apps 

The next item on my Christmas shopping hacks list is also primarily for shopping at brick-and-mortar retailers, but don’t worry, we’ll get to one of the best Christmas shopping savings tips for in-person and online shopping in a moment. 

This tip involves using your smartphone to download the shopping apps offered by your favorite retailers. These are apps that have a wide range of features, from rewarding loyal customers with points to offering push alerts about new sales.

Here’s how these apps can save you time or money:

  • push notifications for sales
  • rewards programs
  • exclusive deals for users
  • in-store pickup after ordering on the app

The great thing is that there are just so many stores out there these days that have apps designed to help their loyal customers, which can really save you time, money, and sanity at the last minute during Christmas shopping. I know I’ve used my Starbucks app to purchase things like gift cards and mugs at the last minute. I’ve also used it to order coffee when I need a second wind to finish my last-minute shopping. So check around! Chances are, almost all of your favorite stores have apps of their own.

Holly Jolly Score: 4/5 Hollies

3. Use a Mobile Rewards Shopping App 

The last of my absolute favorite Christmas shopping hacks is an app called Shopkick, which you can use to make both your online and your brick-and-mortar shopping more fun! Simply put, Shopkick is one of the best Christmas shopping apps, if not the best. See, the way Shopkick works is that it rewards you with points, called “kicks,” for things you already do while shopping like walking into the store, scanning items, and making purchases. It’s also a level better than any of the usual free apps that give you gift cards because you can also get kicks when shopping online by watching videos, browsing through lookbooks, and of course, making purchases.

Then, you can redeem your kicks for cash back or free gift cards. Shopkick is my favorite Christmas shopping hack for a few reasons. I just love that I can use it to save even more at big online retailers from the comfort of my home. At the same time, it also gives my last-minute shopping a bit of a scavenger hunt vibe, which is really helpful when I’ve been out shopping hard for weeks and on the brink of being overwhelmed. 

What’s also great is that you can use Shopkick alongside the retail apps we mentioned earlier, doubling the opportunities to bolster your budget! Finally, getting my kicks is the absolute best way to take a little bit of the sting out of the pain that your budget suffers during the holidays. Plus, the Discover Tab in the app even has a handy gift guide, if you run out of ideas. Using Shopkick to help with your last-minute Christmas shopping is really a win-win situation!

Holly Jolly Score: 5/5 Hollies!!!

Earn Rewards During Your Last-Minute Shopping Trip

So there you have it—my gift to you. There are plenty of other hacks out there, too, but these have become my favorites over the years. I know I’ve used all three more than a few times to save myself time, money, and energy at the last minute.

There are plenty of other hacks out there, too, but these have become my favorites over the years.

I know that of those three, Shopkick is my absolute favorite. It’s such a versatile app, and I love that I can use it both online and when shopping in-store. I also love how much fun it brings to the holiday shopping process, and I truly hope you enjoy using it just as much as I do!

Christmas is almost here, but there’s still time to get your kicks! Shopkick makes shopping a rewarding experience. Download the app today and start getting your kicks as you finish all of your last-minute holiday shopping! 

Image courtesy of izzzy71